The flaws of Middle East US foreign policy

[Koa]

As an Iranian-American I feel I can observe both sides of the spectrum. It worries me that our foreign policy agenda submits itself to lobbying groups, namely AIPAC, with the same weight as the security and interest of our own citizens. At this point we must ask if this country is really a democracy or a keenly veiled plutocracy?

We have lost touch with diplomatic harmony/relations with other countries and only bother when they cater to our strategic oil interests or the interest of a specific allied nation (Israel).

[Sez.EJ]

Wow... How many decades do you want to go back to begin noting when our policy screwups began?

[Koa]

And the mere fact of that makes it an important topic. Ever since 1953, after the seamless CIA coup of a democratic government, this country has gotten trigger happy with "spreading freedom". Enough is enough and it's time Americans lend an informed voice.

[Vegasdogg]

Originally Posted by Koa

only bother when they cater to our strategic oil interests or the interest of a specific allied nation (Israel).

Hey I would love to break up the violence in areas where there is no strategic oil, but this isn't the Red Cross we're running here. How come nobody makes mention of the fact that the US spends a considerable amount more on defense than other 1st world countries, and when shit hits the fan in non-strategic shit holes, we take the blame for the millions of deaths at the hands of warlords?

And Israel I admit has some explaining to do with the settlements bullshit they keep developing. But I am not blaming them for the problems in the ME. I mean come on, they're an elected government just like ...... oh, who else in the ME has an elected government.....wait, it is on the tip of my tongue.....oh, I know......HAMAS was elected in Gaza right?

We get very, very little oil from the ME. We don't do what we do because we buy oil from the Saudi's or other ME nation. We do it because our partners pay for it.

Meh, what's the difference. China is buying up all the worlds supply of Uranium to build 60 nuke plans in 10 years. There is a limited supply folks, get it while supplies last.

[Vegasdogg]

Originally Posted by Koa

Ever since 1953, after the seamless CIA coup of a democratic government, this country has gotten trigger happy with "spreading freedom". Enough is enough and it's time Americans lend an informed voice.

Unless you're speaking about Iraq, where have we been trigger happy to spread freedom? I think we may have cloaked some actions in the "stop communism" chant. I think we get involved in too many affairs to be honest. China just sits back, keeps its mouth shut, and bides its time.

[Koa]

Not sure if my point was received how I intended. Restated, it’s us who are regrettably becoming the nefarious instigators of violence and confrontation in the world arena. It’s a harsh truth but one I’ll admit loud and clear. People need to understand that when the United States props up and support dictators to create client oil states (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain) we also develop a fertile ground for more instability and terrorism. In Iraq (and within our interventions* before then) people of the world are seeing through the sugar coated tagline of “promoting democracy” for what it really is: imperialism and self-interest. I also disagree with you wholeheartedly that Israel is not to blame for the majority of problems in the ME. Israel still violates the Fourth Geneva Convention, occupies and expands settlements within Palestinian territories, only receives “slaps on the wrist” for having the most UN violations of any country, and displays aggression towards sovereign nations in the ME. Point being, our neutrality to Israel’s blatant violations of international law, all while reprimanding and meddling with other nations that don’t support “our cause” is highly hypocritical, insulting, and… ding ding ding… the catalyst to many problems in the Middle East.

You also asked where we have been trigger happy to support democracy (my inflated expression for meddling in the foreign affairs of other countries).

*Recent interventions using direct military force or meddling through proxy regimes

China 1945-61
Greece 1947-49
Philippines 1945-53
Korea 1950-53
Guatemala 1953-90
Iran 1954
Indonesia 1957-59
Haiti 1959
Vietnam 1961-73
Cambodia 1955-73
Laos 1957-73
Thailand 1956-73
Peru 1965
Dominican Republic 1965
Cuba 1961
Angola 1975-80s
Nicaragua 1979-90
Philippines 1980s-90s
South Yemen 1979-84
Iran 1980-1988
Grenada 1983
Libya 1980s
Panama 1989
Afghanistan 1979-92
El Salvador 1981-92
Somalia 1993
Iraq 1991-present
Colombia 1990s-present, intermittently
Serbia 1999
Afghanistan 2001-present
Pakistan 2007-present
Libya 2011-present

In case you wanted a source for the above:
Congressional Research Service, Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32170.pdf

[Vegasdogg]

Wow, what a complete waste of time this would have been. You're full of shit dude.

[Koa]

And you're an ill informed asshole. Dude.

[Vegasdogg]

Yes I studied International Relations, History, and US Foreign Relations 1945-1995 at John Carroll University, and I am ill-informed. You are not worth the time, little one.

You're 26 yrs old kid. Go pay some taxes, buy a house, pay it off, put 2 kids through college, and come call me.

Until then go fuck yourself you racist asshole.

Better yet - go to the Middle East, move amongst the people, and tell them what you told us here.

[Vegasdogg]

P.S.

I have been to Israel, and I have been to Saudi Arabia, and I have been to Egypt.

If you're so pissed off at the state of the ME, maybe you should be on boards where Europeans and Chinese and Russian folks frequent.

Start there. If you're going for an MBA than you'd know this. Maybe your education is a little too modest to take me on.

[Koa]

Don’t mistake 26 years for ignorance.

Not that any of the following is important to have reasonable debate, but I've been a self-made entrepreneur since 20. For two years I’ve been a proud homeowner with, wait for it, no mortgage. I always pay my taxes early. Thank you. More so, I’ve read over 30 foreign affairs, history, and political commentary texts, not to mention Jewish publications such as Ha’aretz. This isn’t a popularity contest old-timer, which might be good for your case. I’m not a harsh or arrogant guy whatsoever, but if you want to resort to chest pounding then go get your gloves, pucker up and kiss my ass.

I totally expect to be in the minority with my opinions on an American football forum, but does that make them unjustified? It humors me that any ridicule of our global conduct and alliance with Israel is almost always misconstrued as racist by the American masses. Pathetic. I’m surprised you haven’t spewed out the anti-Semite card yet, or will that be following your “move to Paris then” card? A well-educated and traveled person should know better.

My father, aged 76, was a Mossadeq revolutionary in the 50’s as the Shah was puppeted into rule by a British and US-led coup d'état. Like you, I’ve traveled and immersed myself directly with the people of Turkey (Istanbul, Antalya), Iran (Tehran, Esfahan), Israel (Tel Aviv), Lebanon (Beirut), and Azerbaijan (Baku). I have a first hand account of precisely what they think.

If you'd like to give me just one take instead of baseless insults then be my guest, but I can only hold my breath for so long.